EP1210587A1 - Radar apparatus for imaging and/or spectrometric analysis and methods of performing imaging and/or spectrometric analysis of a substance for dimensional measurement, identification and precision radar mapping - Google Patents
Radar apparatus for imaging and/or spectrometric analysis and methods of performing imaging and/or spectrometric analysis of a substance for dimensional measurement, identification and precision radar mappingInfo
- Publication number
- EP1210587A1 EP1210587A1 EP00958816A EP00958816A EP1210587A1 EP 1210587 A1 EP1210587 A1 EP 1210587A1 EP 00958816 A EP00958816 A EP 00958816A EP 00958816 A EP00958816 A EP 00958816A EP 1210587 A1 EP1210587 A1 EP 1210587A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- radar
- antenna
- radar system
- antenna assembly
- range
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N22/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of microwaves or radio waves, i.e. electromagnetic waves with a wavelength of one millimetre or more
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
- G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
- G01S13/89—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
- G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
- G01S13/885—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications for ground probing
Definitions
- Fig 6A is a cross-sectional view of radar apparatus set up for chamber mode operation according to one embodiment of the invention.
- Fig. 13 is an image recorded using the radar apparatus according to the invention. Firstly, apparatus embodying various aspects of the invention will be described.
- the radar unit 21 is connected to an analog/digital (A/D) converter 22 and control unit 25, for controlling the operation of the radar unit 21 and for receiving analog signals received by the radar unit via the Rx antenna 3 and for converting the analog signals to digital form.
- the A/D converter and control unit 22,25 are m turn connected to signal processing and display means 23, typically comprising a suitably programmed personal computer, with associated data storage means 24 of any suitable type(s) (hard disk and/or tape and/or writable CD-ROM etc.) .
- the computer 23 generally includes a suitable visual display device (not shown) .
- the radar unit, A/D converter and control unit and the computer may be combined m a variety of configurations m custom built apparatus.
- the system preferably comprises a standard radar unit, a standard computer with software suited to the methods of the present mvention, and a purpose built A/D converter and control unit.
- the computer is suitably a ruggedised portable computer (laptop) with a suitably powerful processor, e.g. a Pentium-type processor, and adequate memory (RAM) and mass storage capacity.
- a suitably powerful processor e.g. a Pentium-type processor
- RAM adequate memory
- the A/D converter 22 is preferably designed so that m use it is capable of receiving at least three signal inputs.
- An additional signal input for example a voice data input, may also be provided.
- the system is operable m at least one of three general modes of operation, m accordance with the invention: "chamber" modes which a sample of material under investigation is enclosed m a chamber, the Tx antenna being arranged to irradiate the interior of the chamber and the Rx antenna being arranged to receive signals modified by the interaction of the transmitted signals with the chamber and its contents; " transillummation” modes m which the Tx antenna is arranged to transmit signals through a sample of material or an object, body or structure etc. under investigation and the Rx antenna is arranged to receive signals which have passed through the sample, object etc.; and “reflection” mode m which the Rx antenna receives signals transmitted by the Tx antenna and reflected by a sample, object, body or structure etc.
- the various modes of operation are used for a variety of imaging, mapping, measuring and typecasting functions, as shall also be described more detail hereinafter.
- the RCU has its own motherboard with a processor 501, DMA controller 502, a buffer memory module 503 and an mput/output controller 504, all linked to a system bus 505.
- the I/O controller 504 is directly connected to the external computer 506, which controls all digital set-ups, data storage and data analysis.
- the RCU 500 provides the timing signals for controlling the transmitting and receiving units 507 and 508, which are directly linked to the transmitting and receiving antennas 550, 552.
- the antennas 550, 552 may be single or multiple elements.
- the timing signals are controlled by parameters output from the computer 506 to the RCU 500.
- the RCU 500 also relays digitised data from the receiver unit 508 back to the computer 506.
- the RCU 500 consists of analogue and digital logic with a programmable central processing unit (CPU) 501.
- the RCU sets up a Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF) .
- PRF Pulse Repetition Frequency
- the transmitter unit 507 essentially consists of a pulse generator 512 designed to produce strong pulses with characteristics, including the PRF, determined by the RCU.
- the pulse is limited by the high voltage, current and power required. Extending the pulse width reduces the voltage and current needed for the same average pulse energy. Too short a pulse will produce too much high frequency energy which is not necessary for certain applications m which high frequencies are absorbed more than the lower frequencies m the subject under examination (e.g. the ground sub- surface ground applications) . Higher frequencies may be required for other applications including shallow range modes of operation (e.g. for microscopic slide scanning applications medical tissue studies) .
- the computer 506 controls the overall functions of the other units and provides a user interface for the selection of control and survey parameters, data collection, data enhancement, image production, image analysis, material typecasting, material testing and data logging etc..
- the entire radar system is powered either by mams power 519 or battery power conversion 520.
- the transmitter to receiver linkage is via the antennas 550, 552 and intervening media such as air or other gases, water or other liquids, the ground, vacuum etc.
- transmitter- receiver linkage may also be unintentional transmitter- receiver linkage through RCU-transmitter cables and receiver-RCU cables if they are conducting. When this occurs, touching the cables may cause an electrical short which can affect output data.
- the RCU- transmitter and receiver-RCU linkages will generally be metal or glass fibre, but can be wireless connections such as radio or optical through vacuum and/or gaseous and/or liquid media. Metal is preferably avoided for the above mentioned reasons.
- the RCU-computer linkage will normally be a serial or parallel port connection, since the required data rates are not unusually high. Other possible links include USB, PCMCIA, IrD or radio modem.
- Figs. 3A, 3B and 4 illustrate examples of antenna/chamber assemblies suited for chamber mode operations m accordance with the invention, particularly for typecasting applications performed on material samples or relatively small objects.
- Fig. 3A shows a cross-section through a sample irradiation chamber 100a which has a preferred pyramidal geometry.
- Fig. 3B shows a cross-section through a sample irradiation chamber 100b which has an upper section with a pyramidal geometry similar to that of Fig. 3A but with a rectangular chamber extending downwardly from the base of the pyramid.
- Fig. 4 shows an exploded overhead view of the embodiments illustrated m Figs. 3A and 3B indicating the antenna configuration.
- FIG. 4 The cross-section along lines X-X' of Fig. 4 is illustrated m Fig. 3A.
- a transmitting antenna 102 and a receiving antenna 103 are directly provided withm the chambers 100.
- Fig 3A shows the configuration of the transmitting antenna 102 m profile.
- a cathode feed connector wire 111 connects a cathode half of a transmitting bowtie dipole element 115a to the pulse generator of the system.
- An anode feed connector wire 112 connects the anode half of the transmitter bowtie element 115b provided on the opposite internal face of the chamber 100 to the receiver side of the system.
- Fig. 4 illustrates the orientation of a receiving cathode bowtie dipole component 120a and connecting cathode feed connector wire 118 and a receiving anode bowtie dipole component 120b and connecting anode feed connector wire 119.
- the receiver dipole components 120a, 120b are orientated at 90° to the transmitter dipole components 115a, 115b.
- the walls 113a and base 113b of the chamber 100 may be constructed from an insulating material such as plastic, and may be bonded externally or internally to an electrically conducting material such as copper 114.
- the base 113b may be made of a metallic substance to optimise base reflections.
- the rectangular side walls 122 are preferably provided with a metallic inside surface. This enables omni- directional backwall and base reflections from the transmitted radiation to penetrate the sample.
- the geometry of the chamber 100 is preferably selected to maximise the irradiation of the sample. As Figs. 3A and 3B show, the primary direction of the radiation pattern is orientated to and from the walls 113, base 123 and the sample 116.
- Figs. 5A to 5D are cross-sectional side views of preferred embodiments of antenna assemblies m accordance with one aspect of the invention which can be deployed as receivers and/or transmitters m various systems and methods embodying the invention. These embodiments are applicable to all of the various operational modes and functions m accordance with the various aspects of the invention; i.e. chamber, transillummation and reflection modes and imaging/mapping and typecasting functions.
- the configuration of the antenna assemblies is scalable over a wide range of dimensions for different applications.
- a focusing system is provided by a suitable lens device 204, for example of the type of a Fresnel Zone Plate (FZP) lens.
- the FZP lens comprises two concentric slit -ring apertures 224, 225 separated by a ring spacer 226, for example a metallic (e.g. polished brass) front-end internal reflecting ring.
- the mam body of the assembly consists of a tube 227, preferably having a reflective metallic composition, for example polished brass or stainless steel.
- a back wall reflector 232 is provided m the form of a concave metallic ring (again polished brass or any other suitably reflective material may be used) which is bonded to the tube 227 and to a cathode connector 233.
- anode element 230 which is preferably a narrow hollow tube element, for example comprising copper, and which is separated from the grounded cathode walls of the assembly by insulating material 231.
- the diameter D A of the anode element 230 is preferably an exact multiple of the internal diameter D ⁇ of the tube 227.
- the un-msulated portion of the anode element 230 also protrudes mto the interior of the tube 227 by a distance L A which is preferably an exact multiple of the total reflecting distance L ⁇ from the back wall reflector 232 to the front wall reflecting ring 226.
- a distance L A which is preferably an exact multiple of the total reflecting distance L ⁇ from the back wall reflector 232 to the front wall reflecting ring 226.
- an anode width of 2 mm and a tube inner diameter of 10 mm gives a ratio D A :D T of 1:5.
- the ratios between the anode diameter and the tube diameter are integers and similarly the ratios between the anode length and the tube length are integers.
- an anode length L A of 19.05mm and a tube inner length L ⁇ of 190.5 mm between the back wall internal reflector 232 and front wall internal reflector 226 gives a longitudinal standing wave ratio parameter of L A :L T of 1:10. This balances the lateral ratio parameter D A :D T of 1:5 to achieve optimum standing wave resonance m the tube, before the wave is launched through the aperture.
- An anode feed wire connects the anode element connector 236 to a highly resistive (e.g. 75 ⁇ ) lead cable 235.
- the back reflector 232 is grounded by connecting a ground wire from the lead cable 235 to the cathode element connector 237.
- Fig. 5B shows an antenna assembly similar to that of Fig. 5A, which further includes a cylindrical dielectric lens element 238 with planar end surfaces.
- This type of lens attachment modifies the beam leaving the assembly a manner which depends on the distance of the outer end surface of lens attachment relative to the inherent focal distance of the mam assembly, and on the refractive index and dielectric properties of the lens attachment relative to those of the dielectric cladding material inside the assembly and relative to those of the external medium/media mto which the bean is transmitted from the device.
- This embodiment is particularly useful when the lens surface is located at the inherent focal distance of the assembly and placed m contact with a surface under examination, acting as a spacer element for precise focussing.
- Fig. 5D shows still another antenna assembly similar to that of Fig. 5A.
- the assembly is fitted with a cylindrical plano-convex dielectric lens 240.
- This type of lens attachment will have an effect opposite to that of Fig. 5B .
- the assembly When the assembly is used as a receiver, it will increase the capacity of the assembly to collect incident radiation.
- the tubular body of the assembly acts as the cathode of the antenna and the anode extends along the central longitudinal axis of the tube.
- Fig. 5E shows an alternative embodiment, similar to that of Fig. 5A except that both the anode and cathode both comprise elongate, preferably tubular, elements 602, 604 located mside the outer tube 606, parallel to and arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal axis thereof.
- the dimensions (particularly the lengths and diameters) of the anode and cathode elements 602 and 604 are preferably proportional to the corresponding dimensions of the tube 606, as with the anode of the embodiments of Figs. 5A - 5D .
- the spacmgs between the elements 602 and 604 and between the elements and the outer tube 606 are similarly m proportion.
- the arrangement of the antenna elements 602 and 604 m Fig. 5E allows a pair of similar antenna assemblies to be cross polarised relative to one another since the assemblies can be rotated about their longitudinal axes such that the planes m which the elements 602 and 604 of each assembly lie can be arranged at right angles to one another.
- Figs. 5F to 5N are schematic end views of antenna assemblies similar to those of Fig. 5E with different arrangements of elements.
- Figs. 5F and 51 show assemblies similar to those of Fig. 5E with one anode and one cathode element 602 and 604.
- the elements are oriented at right angles to those of Fig. 51.
- Figs. 5G, 5H 5J and 5K show assemblies with multiple anode and cathode elements arranged m linear arrays along a diameter of the outer tube of the assembly, with Figs. 5G and 5H showing the arrays oriented at right angles to those of Figs .
- Electrical connections to the various elements may be switchable so that a single assembly may be selectively configured with different arrangements of anodes and cathodes.
- the relative dimensions and spacmgs of the elements and the outer tube are preferably m proportion as previously described.
- FIG. 6A a cross-section of two antenna assemblies similar to those of Fig. 5E is illustrated, arranged for chamber mode operation.
- the apparatus shown generally at 1 consists of a transmitter assembly 2 and a receiver assembly 3 aligned substantially coaxially with a chamber 4 provided m co-alignment therebetween.
- the transmitter 2 and receiver 3 each consist of a cavity 5a and 5b respectively, for example a hollow tube or pipe.
- an anode 6a and cathode 7a form a transmitting antenna 8a which is disposed m longitudinal alignment with the tube axis XX ' .
- an anode 6b and cathode 7b form a receiving antenna 8b which is disposed m longitudinal alignment with the tube axis XX' .
- each tube 5a, 5b the anodes 6a, 6b and cathodes 7a, 7b are substantially surrounded by a cladding material selected for its dielectric properties.
- the antennae 8a, 8b can be immersed m distilled water which is used as a dielectric cladding.
- Other alternatives include mixtures of distilled water and sand, or any other substance having the desired dielectric properties.
- Each tube 5a, 5b is suitably sealed at each end 12a, 13a and 12b, 13b respectively.
- a suitable sealant is, for example, a resin or other electrically insulating substance,
- Focusing means 9a, 9b are provided adjacent to the chamber 4.
- each of the focusing means 9a or 9b comprises a dielectric lens of a selected geometry and dielectric composition to enable the radiation emitted/received by the respective transmitting antenna 8a or collecting antenna 8b to be converged/diverged as it enters/exits the chamber 4 respectively.
- the lenses 9a, 9b of the transmitter and receiver respectively are both selected to have a wax composition with a high resistivity, for example, of the order of 10 9 Megohm-meters.
- each anode 6a, 6b to the corresponding cathode 7a, 7b and the surrounding dielectric material and/or tube 5a, 5b are determined to be fractionally proportional to each other as previously described.
- the width of the anode 6a is proportional to the width of the cathode 7a and to the interior diameter of the tube 5a and the length of the anode 6a is proportional to the overall length of the tube 5a.
- the transmitter 2 provides a means of generating a resonant and collimated beam of radiation at selected wavelengths which the receiver 3 is capable of detecting.
- the overall geometry of the transmitter 2 and receiver 3 are therefore related to the size and scale of resolution required.
- the dielectric properties of the cladding material selected to surround the antennas 8a, 8b are also important m this respect as these will affect the group velocity V g of the radiation emitted/received.
- the transmitter 2 and receiver 3 are arranged m coaxial alignment so that the sample chamber 4 is transillummated.
- the tubes 5a, 5b may each have an internal diameter of 16mm, and the chamber 4 is positioned so that the overall inner transmission length of the transmitter tube 5a and chamber portion 4a is 330mm and the overall receiver length of the receiving tube 5b and chamber portion 4b is 295mm.
- the measurements m each case are parallel to the direction XX' and are measured from the contact interface between the lower chamber portion 4a and the upper chamber portion 4b when the chambers contact each other m the transillummation configuration.
- the dielectric lenses 9a, 9b are selected to optimise the convergence/divergence of radiation emitted by the antenna assemblies 2,3 and the sample chamber portion 4a is located withm a maximum distance from the transmitter 2, preferably no more than 300mm.
- each antenna 8a, 8b may be a multi-folded YAGI array with two insulated groups containing a plurality of individually screened high quality copper elements m the longitudinal tube plane XX'.
- Each array is filled with the selected dielectric material, such as distilled water m this example, to make a dielect ⁇ cally clad bistatic antenna pair.
- the above configuration enables an optimum impedance match to be obtained at 50 ohm.
- the radiation emitted by the transmitting antenna 8a is focused by means of the wax lens 9a so that the sample 10 placed m the lower portion of the chamber 4a is irradiated.
- Each wax lens 9a, 9b m this embodiment extends 4mm into the base of the chamber portions 4a, 4b respectively.
- the receiving portion of the chamber 4b is filled with a suitable dielectric, for example, air.
- the radiation is refocussed by the wax lens 9b mto the receiving antenna assembly 2 where it is detected by the receiving antenna 8b.
- a sample of, for example, 25ml of the substance to be typecast may be placed withm the lower portion of the chamber 4a. Air occupies the remaining 20ml volume of space mside the upper chamber portion 4b.
- suitable e.m. shielding is provided.
- a conductive, metallic substance e.g. aluminium
- a suitable insulating material e.g. plastic
- the provision of a layer of insulating material and conductive material is as is known m the art such that stray e.m. fields etc. are substantially eliminated.
- the transmitter antenna assembly 2 is used to generate a resonant collimated beam of pulsed radar signals. These pulsed signals are set up and controlled by a pulse generator unit as previously described m relation to Figs. 1 and 2.
- the bandwidth of the transmitted pulse may be of the order of 2 MHz to 200 MHz.
- a large enough time window is employed to ensure that sufficient reflections have occurred withm the telescopes 2, 3 and the chamber 4. For example, a time window of 16ns can be used with a pulse interval time of 100ms.
- Fig. 6B shows another embodiment which is a variation of the arrangement of Fig. 6A.
- like reference numerals designate like or equivalent components and features.
- the transmitting and receiving antenna assemblies 2 and 3 are again aligned m transillummation mode, with an enclosed chamber 4 which completely contains and conceals a sample container 400 for specimen typecasting.
- the transmitting and receiving antenna assemblies may be similar to those of Figs. 5A and 5B .
- This embodiment differs from that of Fig. 6A m that interior cavities of the tubes 5a and 5b are packed with a high dielectric material, such as barium titanate, for which ⁇ r equals 4000 at room temperature.
- the tubes 5a, 5b, the anodes 6a, 6b are located centrally, extending along the axis X- X', and the cathodes 7a, 7b are provided by the inner walls of the tubes 5a, 5b.
- the focussing means 9a, 9b preferably touch the top and bottom respectively of the sample container 400.
- the focussing means 9a, 9b comprises two concentric slit-rmg apertures 224a, 224b, 225a and 225b, separated by a spacer 226a, 226b, as described above m relation to Fig. 5.
- the chamber 4 m this case comprises two metallic solid cells 4a, 4b screwed together to form a sealed radio frequency (RF) shielded unit.
- the cells 4a, 4b are preferably made from non-magnetic metals, such as aluminium or brass, for example.
- This arrangement of the typecasting chamber has been optimised to substantially eliminate stray electromagnetic fields.
- the bandwidth of the signals received depends on the size and configuration of the antennas 8a, 8b and the sample chamber 4. If the sample substance is to be typecast, its spectral characteristics are determined by subtracting the signal received from the apparatus under resonant conditions when the sample chamber 4 is empty from the signal received under similar conditions when a substance to be typecast is placed withm the chamber 4. The spectral characteristics of the resultant data may then be compared with the spectral characteristics of known materials which have previously been obtained m a similar manner and stored m a database.
- the transmitted radar pulse may be tuned so that the detected signal indicates that a suitable resonant radiation conditions have been established.
- the second mode of operation relates to the use of antenna assemblies 200, such as those illustrated m Fig. 5, being deployed m a transillummation configuration, without the use of a sample chamber, such as that illustrated m Fig. 6B, which shows axially aligned Tx and Rx antenna assemblies 201, 202, such as those of Figs. 5A - 5N.
- the assemblies are co-axially aligned to face one another and are placed at an optimal focusing separation with a test substance/object located mid-way between the two sensors m order to achieve a balanced transillummation effect.
- Assemblies of this type may also be used the arrangements illustrated m Figs 6A and 6B.
- the apparatus provides a means to image or typecast the internal composition or contents of, for example, baggage on a conveyor belt.
- the antenna assemblies 201, 202 are arranged on either side of the belt to transillummate baggage as it moves along the belt.
- Metallic reflectors may be further provided below the belt and around the sides/roof of any surrounding shield.
- the third mode of operation relates to the antenna assemblies 200 being deployed m a parallel configuration or at an angle to one another with the apertures of the Tx and Rx antenna assemblies facing the same direction and the received signal having been deviated back towards its source direction (e.g. reflected or backscattered) .
- Figs. 7A, 8A to 8D, 9 and 10 illustrate examples of this mode of operation.
- the antenna assemblies may be deployed m a stationary configuration or one or both of the antenna assemblies may move relative to the substance/area to be scanned and/or the substance/area may be moved relative to the antenna assemblies.
- Fig 7A is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of the receiving and transmitting antenna assemblies 201, 202 as described above, m a GPR application suitable for remotely detecting and/or imaging and/or typecasting objects and/or substances located underground.
- the transmitter assembly 201 and the receiver assembly 202 may be mounted on suitable land and/or sea vehicles.
- Fig 8A illustrates how the apparatus may be mounted on to the rear or front of a land vehicle.
- the apparatus could be provided to protrude through the floor or hull of a sea-vehicle such as Fig 8D shows.
- the apparatus may be highly portable for applications, such as Figs 8B and 8C illustrate.
- Fig 8B shows a portable device suitable for operation on land
- Fig 8C shows a portable device suitable for submerged operation by a diver.
- Fig. 9 illustrates how a transmitting antenna assembly 201 and a receiving antenna assembly 202 may be arranged m parallel along a tong 250 forming part of a submerged moveable platform 280 which can be attached, for example, to the front of a remotely operated vehicle 260 suitable for operation on a seabed 270.
- Fig 10 illustrates how a plurality of pairs of arrays of transmitting antenna assemblies 201 and receiving antenna assemblies 202 may be arranged on the underside of pontoon-type supports 300a, 300b for use with a semi-submersible platform or sea-vehicle.
- Such a configuration of the radar apparatus enables sea-bed sensing, imaging and typecasting of materials for the oil industry.
- the inventor has detected shipwrecks and the apparatus may be suitable for the detection of oil and gas deposits using this apparatus.
- Features such as shipwrecks may be buried deep below the seabed.
- an array of antennas, and preferably a multiple array of antennas can be used. Multiple arrays could scan many lines m one forward sweep covering a large search area m a short space of time.
- the apparatus by allowing the apparatus to remain m situ and scan a fixed area for a period of time, (i.e. to "stare” m the surveying mode) it is possible to record a series of images indicating movement of substances such as liquids (e.g. oil) and gases (e.g., natural gas seepage) .
- substances such as liquids (e.g. oil) and gases (e.g., natural gas seepage) .
- the arrays provided operate m tandem.
- the transmitting array 310a will emit signals which are reflected and recorded by the receiving array 320b
- the transmitting array 320a will emit signals which are preferably recorded by the receiving array 310b, etc.
- This enables a plurality of lines 330 to be scanned efficiently along the sea-bed. In the illustrated example, nine lines 330 can be scanned.
- any antenna assembly can be selected as a transmitter and reflections can be received from any receiving antenna m any specific order and sampling time to allow increasing Tx and Rx (see Fig. 10) separation for triangulation and precision mapping purposes.
- a detailed table of dielectric properties can be produced including depths, radar velocities, mterlayer thicknesses, mterlayer velocities, and mterlayer dielectric constants.
- the sizes of the apertures of the antenna assemblies may be optimised to suit the path length and the beam collimation requirements. For deeper sounding and longer path lengths it may be necessary to vary the focusing means, for example by fitting narrow apertures with a range of optional circular slits. These can then be fitted to the telescopes to provide focusing at the optimum near/far field ranges. Dielectric lens attachments such as those illustrated Figs. 5B to 5D may also be used for these purposes.
- the focusing means selection criteria follows that known m the art from radar design and selection procedures and are based on simple geometric, timing and platform speed considerations.
- typical land vehicles include ATVs, small robotic platforms, man-portable and/or hand operated or track or rail mounted for tunnels or mines, or man portable operated from raised bucket platforms for scanning vertical wall surfaces of buildings, tunnels or bridge structures.
- Typical sea-vehicles include mflatables, hovercraft, Dory work boats, tug- boats, hydrographic/seismic-type survey vessels, or oil-mdustry semi-submersible platforms with pontoons suitable for mounting large tube-arrays, or ROVs, or autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) , or Jack-Up Platforms or Drilling Rigs or Stand-Alone Production Platforms.
- the antenna assemblies are typically arranged substantially vertically and are orientated so that they can stare mto the ground/seabed, at depths capable of resolving oil and gas reservoir structures.
- the antenna assemblies 201, 202 may be of the order of 24m long by 8 inches internal diameter and may comprise two 12m long by 8 inch (internal diameter) high quality steel oil tube casings welded to another two 12m by 8 inch casings to make a pair of large transmitting and receiving assemblies some 24m long.
- Such a geometry for the antenna assemblies is believed by the inventor to have a natural resonance which amplifies the radar signal by a factor of 180.
- the apparatus may be further mounted on air/space vehicles, for example, small helicopters or remotely powered vehicles (RPVs) such as model aircraft, or balloons, blimps or piloted auto-gyros.
- air/space vehicles for example, small helicopters or remotely powered vehicles (RPVs) such as model aircraft, or balloons, blimps or piloted auto-gyros.
- RSVs remotely powered vehicles
- Spaceborne platforms may be used for subsurface geological investigations of moons, comets and/or other planets.
- Fig. 11A illustrates a further embodiment of the invention with a Tx antenna assembly 201 and an Rx antenna assembly mounted on a conventional optical microscope 700, for the purpose of examining, for example, biological samples mounted on microscope slides 702.
- the Rx assembly 202 is mounted m a socket of the microscope which would normally be occupied by an ocular (eyepiece) .
- the end of the Rx assembly 202 may be suitably configured to fit this existing socket.
- the Tx assembly 201 m this example is mounted m a socket or the like which would normally receive a light source for illuminating the slide 712. If the microscope is of the binocular type, the other ocular may be used for visual observation of the slide and for focussing the microscope.
- the transmitted signal from the Tx assembly 201 follows the normal optical path through the microscope to the Rx assembly 202. That is, the Tx and Rx assemblies 201, 202 are arranged for transillummation of the slide 702. Alternatively, the Tx and Rx assemblies could be mounted side by side m the ocular sockets of a binocular microscope, for reflection mode operation. In this way, a variety of different types of optical microscope may be adapted for operation as "radar microscopes" and may be used for imaging and/or typecasting of biological samples or the like m a variety of applications including medical diagnosis. For scanning purposes, the slide 702 may be translated relative to the Tx and Rx assemblies by using the conventional movable slide stage of the microscope.
- calibrated antenna assemblies preferably of the type illustrated m Figs. 5E to 5N, whose relative separation can be varied for optimised triangulation of range distance.
- the transmitting, Tx, and receiving antennas, Rx can be rotated about their longitudinal axes through 0 - 360° relative to one another to enable variable polarisation of signals, so as to optimise coherent image reflections of targets and interfaces of interest.
- the triangulation factor is important for many applications of the invention.
- the polarisation factor is of greatest significance for close range inspection of structures such as pipes or concrete sections. Changing the polarisation, by a factor of 90° for example, can enable the collection of multiva ⁇ ate image-data sets along each scan line. This often assists the classification of the medium and provides co-ordinates of point targets or structures m the medium being investigated.
- the antennas can typically be oriented m two ways: plane polarised (PP or Plane Mode) or cross polarised (CP, 90° mode) where Tx is oriented at 90° to Rx or vice versa. Therefore, at any given frequency, two different sets of spectral reflection data (or digital image bands) can be collected.
- PP or Plane Mode plane polarised
- CP, 90° mode cross polarised
- Tx is oriented at 90° to Rx or vice versa. Therefore, at any given frequency, two different sets of spectral reflection data (or digital image bands) can be collected.
- PCA principal components analysis
- This situation may arise, for example, when scanning the irregular topographic features of a biopsy specimen, as the antennas will be mounted on a simple biopsy scanning platform (BSP) and not m direct contact with the surgical specimen.
- BSP simple biopsy scanning platform
- FIG. 11A which shows a fixed Tx antenna assembly 201, and a movable Rx antenna assembly 202 moving progressively away from the Tx antenna 201 m the direction of the arrows, relative to a subject 704, such as a cancer tumour withm a body) .
- This can be achieved by automatic sensor array digital switching, managed by software control.
- the Rx antenna assembly captures each new reflection and plots the returns alongside the previously scanned returns. This process integrates reflection traces and eventually a comprehensive image of the subject 704 is obtained. To compose a coherent image, the system processes the response reflections from the objects examined. These are automatically enhanced to optimise desired targets and layered boundary reflections may be classified.
- the images may also be suitably scaled by software, with re-sampling and auto-zoom features enabling 2-D and 3-D visualisation of point targets and boundary interfaces, displayed m real time.
- These features together with the use of classified colour palettes, can discriminate the textural classes or surface roughness (for example) of a wide range of materials.
- a typical breast carcinoma may consist of six distinct tissue layers, with layer thicknesses measured m micrometers (e.g.: 76, 76, 152, 202, 88, 77), each with a different dielectric constant.
- dielectric tables showing mean mter-layer thicknesses, depths, propagation velocities and dielectric constants. These tables may also include RMS error computations m two way travel time measured m nanoseconds (NS) and depth m metres (m) for each stratigraphic boundary.
- the preferred signal processing software performs real- time de-convolution of the transmit pulse to allow true conformal mapping of object shapes. For example, conventional GPR reflections from circular or elliptical section structures such as pipes occur as parabolic echoes from the top and bottom of the pipe reflecting surfaces, whereas mapping m the manner described above will display the structures m their true circular or elliptical shapes.
- materials can be spectroscopically identified and classified (as described further below) , provided they have been previously typecasted and their spectral characteristics logged m the reference database. If this is the case, classification is possible m near- real-time; that is, withm a few micro-seconds of data capture. Depths can be automatically calculated by the system computer after the WARR results have been implemented. Thus, it is simply a matter of reading the depth of a required target position from the scaled image.
- Fig. 12 is a table summarising system specifications for a variety of operational modes of systems embodying the invention. Fifteen modes of operation Al - A5 , BI - B5 and Cl - C5 are indicated, exemplifying the broad range of applications of the invention. Modes Al - A5 are close range/near field (small scale) modes for a range of increasing distances between the Tx antenna and the subject, suitable for applications such as biological and medical imaging. Modes BI - B5 are near to medium range (medium scale) modes, again for a range of increasing distances, suitable for typical GPR applications with relatively shallow penetration.
- Modes Cl - C5 are long range (large scale) modes, suitable for geological/geophysical applications, particularly the oil industry, for relatively deep subsea/subsurface penetration.
- the various modes would typically use substantially the same computer, pulse generator and radar control apparatus, with different Tx and Rx antenna assemblies, these preferably being of the types illustrated m Figs. 5A to 5N, smaller assemblies (e.g. about 200 mm to 300 mm m length) being used for modes Al to A5 , intermediate size assemblies being used for modes BI to B5 , and larger size assemblies (e.g. up to about 24 m m length) being used for modes Cl to C5.
- the resolution time and resolution space (columns 2 and 3) indicate the resolution which may be obtained using each mode. Values given are for salt water and may be converted for other media with different dielectric properties. Column 4 indicates suitable values of the Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF) for each mode, being higher for close range applications and lower for longer range applications. Column 4 indicates suitable Pulse Width (Pw) values for the various modes, these being shorter for close range modes and longer for long range modes. For each of modes Al - A5 , suitable values are m the range 10 - 100 ps (picoseconds) i.e.
- PRF Pulse Repetition Frequency
- Pw Pulse Width
- Columns 6 and 7 indicate the preferred frequency ranges (Fmm to F ax) of the transmitted pulse for each mode, being higher for close range/small scale applications requiring little penetration and high resolution and lower for long range/large scale applications requiring deep penetration and lower resolution.
- the frequency range is determined by the radar system as a whole, including the characteristics of the TX and Rx antennas.
- Columns 9 to 11 indicate suitable values of pulses-per-trace (Ptr) , scan rate (SR, traces-per- second) and Sdelay (l/SR)for the purposes of sampling, storing and displaying digitised data.
- Ptr pulses-per-trace
- SR scan rate
- l/SR Sdelay
- the total frequency range of the radar systems is indicated as 1 MHz to 10 GHz, which covers an exceptionally wide range of frequencies. This range is suited for the various imaging and typecasting operations of the apparatus at various distances and scales.
- the sampling rate (Fs) most preferably equals two times the maximum frequency (Fmax) as indicated m column 7 of Fig. 12B.
- the sampling rate is determined by the difference m time delays from pulse to pulse.
- the sampling rate preferably falls m the range Fmax/4 to 4Fmax.
- the sampling time, Ts (column 12) , is different from the sampling rate, being the time during which the analogue signal is sampled before being digitised, corresponding to the time represented by one pixel m the y-direction.
- the analogue input signal is filtered before sampling to avoid aliasing. This is partially accomplished by the sampler 516 (Fig. 2) which averages the signal over the sampling time.
- the lower frequency range is limited by the Tx and Rx antennas, the time window and a low frequency component from the radar.
- the lowest frequency that can be resolved is the reciprocal of the time from time zero to the end of the trace. For example, consider mode A5 of Fig. 12. In this case, the 25 ns time range (column 6) will have a minimum frequency of (25 ns) 1 , i.e. 40 MHz. This is an absolute minimum value. For practical purposes, a higher value (100 MHz m Fig. 12) is preferably selected.
- This is considered by the inventor to be a tube geometry and dielectric lens effect, and will assist the near range focusing of radio-wave cameras and microscopes as well as radio-wave telescopes for mapping deep below ground level or the sea-bed.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
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EP06014809A EP1762840B1 (en) | 1999-09-07 | 2000-09-07 | Radar apparatus for imaging and methods of performing imaging and precision radar mapping |
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GB9921042 | 1999-09-07 | ||
GBGB9921042.9A GB9921042D0 (en) | 1999-09-07 | 1999-09-07 | Radar apparatus for spectrometric analysis and a method of performing spectrometric analysis of a substance |
PCT/GB2000/003431 WO2001018533A1 (en) | 1999-09-07 | 2000-09-07 | Radar apparatus for imaging and/or spectrometric analysis and methods of performing imaging and/or spectrometric analysis of a substance for dimensional measurement, identification and precision radar mapping |
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EP06014809A Division EP1762840B1 (en) | 1999-09-07 | 2000-09-07 | Radar apparatus for imaging and methods of performing imaging and precision radar mapping |
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EP1210587B1 EP1210587B1 (en) | 2007-06-20 |
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EP00958816A Expired - Lifetime EP1210587B1 (en) | 1999-09-07 | 2000-09-07 | Radar apparatus for imaging and/or spectrometric analysis of a substance for dimensional measurement, identification and precision radar mapping |
EP06014809A Expired - Lifetime EP1762840B1 (en) | 1999-09-07 | 2000-09-07 | Radar apparatus for imaging and methods of performing imaging and precision radar mapping |
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US (1) | US6864826B1 (en) |
EP (2) | EP1210587B1 (en) |
AT (2) | ATE434177T1 (en) |
AU (3) | AU780044B2 (en) |
BR (2) | BRPI0017634B1 (en) |
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DE (2) | DE60042432D1 (en) |
ES (2) | ES2328724T3 (en) |
GB (1) | GB9921042D0 (en) |
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EP1762840A1 (en) | 2007-03-14 |
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BR0013842A (en) | 2002-05-14 |
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CA2382752A1 (en) | 2001-03-15 |
AU780044B2 (en) | 2005-02-24 |
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GB9921042D0 (en) | 1999-11-10 |
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CA2382752C (en) | 2009-01-06 |
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EP1762840B1 (en) | 2009-06-17 |
AU2005202237B2 (en) | 2007-03-08 |
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AU2005202238A1 (en) | 2005-06-16 |
NO20021107D0 (en) | 2002-03-06 |
AU7023400A (en) | 2001-04-10 |
ES2288483T3 (en) | 2008-01-16 |
DE60042432D1 (en) | 2009-07-30 |
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ES2328724T3 (en) | 2009-11-17 |
NO334663B1 (en) | 2014-05-12 |
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